Date:22/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/22/stories/2007102256610300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Statues give new lease of life to Rajput handicrafts

S. Harpal Singh

ADILABAD: The Rajasthani Rajputs, now engaged in making fancy plaster of Paris statuettes at Adilabad, present perhaps one of finest example of adaptation to new kinds of livelihood. Unable to cultivate their meagre and parched farms back home, they are subsisting by producing cheaper copies of decorative statuettes and other items.

While these nomads are no artists or craftsmen, they have managed not only mass production of the statuettes but selling the items too. By virtue of a simple formula, the Rajputs have succeeded to give tough competition to similar products made in factories.

“We are able to sell each of our pieces at rates as low as Rs. 50 because the quantity of material used is kept to a bare minimum. Our statuettes or flower vases are made of thin layer of plaster of Paris that keeps the cost of manufacture under control,” revealed Baga Ram Saran of Pali district in Rajasthan.

“We use brighter colours that makes these items very attractive ", added Kapoorji Narsaji Rathod of Siroha district.

These items are sold either at their roadside workshops or the family make rounds of localities in rickshaws.

“Figures like those of elephants, deer and idols of Radha Krishna etc. are very popular.

People seem to prefer these items to adorn the show cases in their drawing rooms,” said Ram Saran.